Grok Bot says local tools are set to "Never", but I allowed them
Last checked October 28, 2026 · Grok Bot changes often
For some newer accounts the Grok Bot app does not finish linking your Mac or PC to your account, and until it does the computer is treated as "Never" whatever Settings says. The fix that worked for most people — sign in to grok.com with the same account, open Settings → Privacy, click Edit, choose an option and save (saving is what matters), wait a minute, then try again. Restart Grok Bot if it still refuses.
The symptom
You set Execution on Local Computer to Always allow or Ask every time, but every local action fails with:
Local tools are turned off. The user has set local tool access to 'Never'.
No approval prompt appears. Restarting, reinstalling and signing out do not help. Other accounts on the same machine work.
Why
Staff explained in October 2026 that the message is misleading: you did not choose Never. The app had not finished linking the computer to your account, and an unlinked computer is treated as Never.
The fix
- Go to grok.com and sign in with the same account you use in Grok Bot.
- Open Settings from the account menu → Privacy.
- Click Edit, choose the privacy option you want, and save. Saving is what matters, even if you keep the same option.
- Wait about a minute, then ask the Bot to do something on your computer again.
- If it still refuses, quit Grok Bot completely, reopen it, and try once more.
Some users found it cleared on its own within a day. If you have several logins, make sure Grok Bot, X and Cursor are signed in to the same one.
What local access can do
With permission, a Bot can run commands and move files on your computer. It cannot see your screen or click and type in your local apps; screen work happens on its cloud computer. Keep local access off unless a task needs it.